Learning Outcomes

Child Life Subprogram

Graduates will:

  • demonstrate an understanding of developmental and psychosocial needs of children and families in health care settings and the assessment, planning, implementation, and documentation of developmentally appropriate child life interventions;
  • demonstrate an understanding of stressful life experiences and coping techniques for children and families from a family systems perspective;
  • demonstrate the ability to maintain relationships with children, families, peers, and an approach to teamwork and collaboration skills;
  • demonstrate an understanding of therapeutic play and creating a therapeutic environment with opportunities in health care and community settings;
  • demonstrate effective oral and written communication and strong critical thinking skills;
  • learn to analyze and present research and evidenced-based practice related to children and families;
  • prepare for the role of a certified child life specialist in hospitals and community-based facilities; and
  • successfully complete a child life practicum, child life internship, and meet all requirements and pass the certification exam.

Clinical Exercise Physiology Subprogram

Graduates will:

  • demonstrate comprehensive understanding of normal and abnormal cardiovascular, respiratory, and exercise physiology;
  • demonstrate comprehensive understanding of pharmacokinetics, mechanisms of action, indication, contraindication, and names of common cardiac, vascular, metabolic, pulmonary, hematological, and neurological drugs;
  • demonstrate comprehensive understanding of physical activity assessment, the major determinants of physical activity behaviors, and the application of physical activity behavior change strategies;
  • demonstrate comprehensive understanding of metabolic exercise testing and exercise prescription for healthy adults;
  • demonstrate understanding of beginning and intermediate electrocardiography (ECG), exercise testing, and exercise prescription for adults with cardiovascular, pulmonary, or metabolic disease;
  • demonstrate competency in clinical skill, including taking health screening, heart rate pulse, blood pressure, and pulse oximetry at rest and during exercise;
  • understand basic research methods, study design, and statistical analysis; and
  • read, interpret, and critique scientific papers in clinical exercise physiology.

M.S. in Health and Human Physiology Without Subprogram

Graduates will:

  • demonstrate understanding and critical evaluation of the scholarly literature in the area of specialization within human physiology and/or health promotion;
  • formulate testable research questions and hypotheses resulting in proper experimental study design and analysis plan;
  • conduct quantitative or qualitative research including data collection, analysis, and interpretation of results in the context of current scientific knowledge; and
  • present scientific results to the department, University, or regional/national scientific community.

The Master of Science program in health and human physiology requires 30-36 s.h. of graduate credit. Required credit varies by subprogram: the child life subprogram requires a minimum of 36 s.h. and is offered without thesis; the clinical exercise physiology subprogram requires a minimum of 32 s.h. and is offered without thesis; the M.S. program in health and human physiology requires a minimum of 30 s.h. and is offered with thesis.

Students interested in pursuing a Ph.D. after earning a master's degree should choose the M.S. in health and physiology program with thesis.

Child Life Subprogram

The child life subprogram provides expertise in child development through services to support families and to promote children's mastery of life experiences, particularly children's health care events. Professionals in this area enhance effective coping skills through play, education, communication, and family-centered care. The program prepares students to meet credentialing requirements. For more information about the profession, visit the Association of Child Life Professionals.

In order to be admitted to the subprogram, students must:

  • hold a B.S. or B.A. degree with a g.p.a. of at least 3.00;
  • have completed one course each in human anatomy, medical terminology, and two courses in child development that focus on children and adolescents;
  • have verification of 100 hours of paid or volunteer experience in child life or in a pediatric setting; and
  • three letters of recommendation, with at least one from a credentialed child life specialist.

Students who have not completed an introductory course in child life must enroll in TR:1077 Introduction to Child Life during their first semester.

Applicants whose first language is not English must submit official test scores to verify English proficiency. Applicants can verify English proficiency by submitting official test scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or the Duolingo English Test (DET).

Students who pursue the child life subprogram must successfully pass comprehensive exams in the last semester prior to their child life internship. The comprehensive exam committee works with each student to develop exam questions.

The M.S. in health and human physiology with the child life subprogram requires the following coursework (minimum of 36 s.h.).

Core Courses

All of these:
PSQF:4143/STAT:4143Introduction to Statistical Methods3
TR:5165Child Life: Child Development and Healthcare Interventions3
TR:5166Child Life: Seminar3
TR:5167Child Life Practicum3
TR:5211Professional Ethics and Practice in Pediatrics3
TR:5260Play and Childhood3
TR:5261Family Systems3
One of these:
CSED:4131Loss, Death, and Bereavement3
SSW:3786/ASP:3786Death/Dying: Issues Across the Life Span3-4
One of these:
HHP:6020Advanced Research Methods and Ethics1-3
TR:5205Research Methods and Play Behavior3

Internship

The supervised internship requires 600 contact hours with a certified child life specialist.

This course:
TR:5270Child Life Internship9

Clinical Exercise Physiology Subprogram

The clinical exercise physiology subprogram provides an advanced scientific and clinical education. It prepares students to be allied health professionals who work in the application of physical activity and behavioral interventions for clinical diseases and health conditions including cardiovascular, pulmonary, metabolic, orthopedic, neuromuscular, immunologic, and hematologic diseases.

In order to be admitted to the subprogram, students must:

  • hold a B.S. or B.A. degree with a g.p.a. of at least 3.00; and
  • have completed anatomy and physiology with laboratories (8 s.h.).

The Master of Science with the clinical exercise physiology subprogram requires the following coursework (minimum of 33 s.h.).

Core Courses

All of these:
HHP:6030Physical Activity and Dietary Behavior Change3
HHP:6150Advanced Clinical Exercise Physiology (consult advisor for semester hours required)1,3
HHP:6200Instruction in Metabolic Exercise Testing and Prescription4
HHP:6260Advanced Respiratory Pathophysiology (consult advisor for semester hours required)1,3
HHP:6410Advanced Exercise Physiology (consult advisor for semester hours required)1,3
HHP:6460Advanced Cardiovascular Physiology (consult advisor for semester hours required)1,3
PCOL:3101Pharmacology I: A Drug's Fantastic Journey3

Statistics Courses

One of these introductory courses (or equivalent):
BIOS:4120Introduction to Biostatistics3
PSQF:6242Selected Applications of Statistics3
STAT:3510/IGPI:3510Biostatistics3
STAT:4143/PSQF:4143Introduction to Statistical Methods3

Research Methods Course

This course:
HHP:6020Advanced Research Methods and Ethics2

Internship

Students complete an individually arranged internship, usually during their second year, earning at least 3 s.h. of credit.

This course:
HHP:5935Clinical Exercise Physiology Internship3-6

General Elective Courses

With advisor approval, students choose elective coursework that enhances their concentration in human and exercise physiology, clinical exercise physiology, prescriptive exercise and training for health and fitness, health maintenance, and understanding human disease.

HHP:4400Health Promotion Clinical Practicum1
HHP:4405Health Promotion Community and Worksite Practicum1
HHP:4420Planning and Evaluating Health Interventions3
HHP:5200Epidemiology of Physical Activity3
HHP:6050Advanced Topics in Obesity3
HHP:6130Advanced Skeletal Muscle Physiology1,3
HHP:6300Motor Control Seminar1
HHP:6400Integrative Physiology Seminar1
HHP:6470Advanced Physiology of Aging1,3
HHP:6500Seminar in Health Promotion1
HHP:6510Advanced Energetics in Health and Disease1,3
HHP:7300Advanced Sensorimotor Neurophysiology1,3
ACB:5203Gross Human Anatomy for Graduate Students5-6
EPID:6350Nutritional Epidemiology2
EPID:6360Nutrition Intervention in Clinical Trials Research2
PSY:3010Health Psychology3
PSY:3340Behavior Modification3
PTRS:6224Activity-Based Neural and Musculoskeletal Plasticity in Health Care4
PTRS:7812Biomedical Instrumentation and Measurement3
PTRS:7875Analysis of Activity-Based Neural and Musculoskeletal Plasticity3

M.S. in Health and Human Physiology with Thesis

The health and human physiology program requires a thesis. Students who intend to earn a Ph.D. after completing the master's degree should choose this program. In order to be admitted, students must hold a B.S. or B.A. degree with a g.p.a. of at least 3.00.

The Master of Science program in health and human physiology requires the following coursework (minimum of 30 s.h.).

Introductory Statistics Courses

One of these:
BIOS:4120Introduction to Biostatistics3
PCOL:5204Basic Biostatistics and Experimental Design1
PSQF:6242Selected Applications of Statistics3
STAT:3510/IGPI:3510Biostatistics3
STAT:4143/PSQF:4143Introduction to Statistical Methods3

Advanced Statistics Courses

One of these:
BIOS:5120/IGPI:5120/STAT:5610Regression Modeling and ANOVA in the Health Sciences3
STAT:6513/PSQF:6243Intermediate Statistical Methods3

Research Methods Course

This course:
HHP:6020Advanced Research Methods and Ethics3

Seminar Courses

Two enrollments (1 s.h. each) chosen from these:
HHP:6300Motor Control Seminar1
HHP:6400Integrative Physiology Seminar1
HHP:6500Seminar in Health Promotion1

General Elective Courses

Students choose elective courses that broaden their knowledge in health and human physiology and related disciplines, and enhance their knowledge in their specific areas of interest, with guidance from their advisor/mentor; electives may include the following.

HHP:3050Obesity: Causes, Consequences, Prevention, and Treatment3
HHP:3440Physical Activity Interventions3
HHP:3450Immunology in Health and Disease3
HHP:4020Health Communication and Coaching Strategies3
HHP:4320Nutrition Interventions3
HHP:4390Understanding Human Disease3
HHP:4450Human Genetics and Disease3-4
HHP:5200Epidemiology of Physical Activity3
HHP:6000Researcharr.
HHP:6030Physical Activity and Dietary Behavior Change3
HHP:6050Advanced Topics in Obesity3
HHP:6130Advanced Skeletal Muscle Physiology1,3
HHP:6150Advanced Clinical Exercise Physiology1,3
HHP:6200Instruction in Metabolic Exercise Testing and Prescription1,4
HHP:6260Advanced Respiratory Pathophysiology1,3
HHP:6410Advanced Exercise Physiology1,3
HHP:6460Advanced Cardiovascular Physiology1,3
HHP:6470Advanced Physiology of Aging1,3
HHP:6510Advanced Energetics in Health and Disease1,3
HHP:7300Advanced Sensorimotor Neurophysiology1,3
ACB:5203Gross Human Anatomy for Graduate Students5-6
BMB:3110Biochemistry3
EPID:4400Epidemiology I: Principles3
EPID:6350Nutritional Epidemiology2
EPID:6400Epidemiology II: Advanced Methods4
EPID:6600Epidemiology of Chronic Diseases3
MPB:5153Graduate Physiology4
PTRS:7812Biomedical Instrumentation and Measurement3
PTRS:7875Analysis of Activity-Based Neural and Musculoskeletal Plasticity3

Thesis

This course:
HHP:7500Thesis: M.S.4

Admission to the department's graduate programs is based on grade-point average, and score on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). International students also can submit acceptable scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the Duolingo English Test (DET).

Applicants to the M.S. program must have an undergraduate g.p.a. of at least 3.00. They also must meet the admission requirements of the Graduate College; see the Manual of Rules and Regulations on the Graduate College website.

Application deadline is February 1 for admission the following fall.

The Pomerantz Career Center offers multiple resources to help students find internships and jobs.

Sample Plans of Study

Sample plans represent one way to complete a program of study. Actual course selection and sequence will vary and should be discussed with an academic advisor. For additional sample plans, see MyUI.

Health and Human Physiology, M.S.

Child Life Subprogram

Plan of Study Grid (Manual)
Academic Career
Any SemesterHours
36 s.h. of graduate level coursework must be completed; graduate transfer credits allowed upon approval. More information is included in the General Catalog and on department website. a
 Hours0
First Year
Fall
TR:5165 Child Life: Child Development and Healthcare Interventions 3
TR:5260 Play and Childhood 3
TR:5261 Family Systems 3
TR:6200 Child Life Graduate Forum 0
 Hours9
Spring
PSQF:4143
Introduction to Statistical Methods
or Introduction to Statistical Methods
3
TR:5166 Child Life: Seminar 3
TR:5167 Child Life Practicum 3
 Hours9
Second Year
Fall
CSED:4131
Loss, Death, and Bereavement
or Death/Dying: Issues Across the Life Span
3
TR:5205
Research Methods and Play Behavior
or Advanced Research Methods and Ethics
3
TR:5211 Professional Ethics and Practice in Pediatrics 3
TR:6200 Child Life Graduate Forum 0
Final Exam b
 Hours9
Spring
TR:5270 Child Life Internship c 9
 Hours9
 Total Hours36
a
Students must complete specific requirements in the University of Iowa Graduate College after program admission. Refer to the Graduate College website and the Manual of Rules and Regulations for more information.
b
Written four-hour exam covering three areas: research, child life practice, and case study analysis.
c
Supervised internship; requires 600 contact hours with a certified child life specialist.

Clinical Exercise Physiology Subprogram

Plan of Study Grid (Manual)
Academic Career
Any SemesterHours
33 s.h. of graduate level coursework must be completed; graduate transfer credits allowed upon approval. More information is included in the General Catalog and on department website. a
 Hours0
First Year
Fall
HHP:6020 Advanced Research Methods and Ethics 2
HHP:6200 Instruction in Metabolic Exercise Testing and Prescription 4
HHP:6460 Advanced Cardiovascular Physiology 3
Elective course or Statistics requirement b, c 3
 Hours12
Spring
HHP:6030 Physical Activity and Dietary Behavior Change 3
HHP:6150 Advanced Clinical Exercise Physiology 3
HHP:6260 Advanced Respiratory Pathophysiology 3
 Hours9
Second Year
Fall
HHP:6410 Advanced Exercise Physiology 3
PCOL:3101 Pharmacology I: A Drug's Fantastic Journey 3
 Hours6
Spring
HHP:5935 Clinical Exercise Physiology Internship d 3
Elective course e 3
Final Exam f
 Hours6
 Total Hours33
a
Students must complete specific requirements in the University of Iowa Graduate College after program admission. Refer to the Graduate College website and the Manual of Rules and Regulations for more information.
b
If statistics course completed as an undergraduate, may be waived upon approval; otherwise choose one introductory course from BIOS:4120, PSQF:6242, STAT:3510/IGPI:3510, STAT:4143/PSQF:4143 and work with faculty advisor to determine which course to take.
c
Work with faculty advisor to determine appropriate graduate elective coursework and sequence.
d
May complete in summer of year one or during year two of the program.
e
Work with faculty advisor to determine appropriate graduate elective coursework and sequence. Note: may complete a 2nd HHP:5935 Internship instead of a 2nd elective.
f
Written one-day (4-6 hour) exam.

Health and Human Physiology with Thesis

Plan of Study Grid (Manual)
Academic Career
Any SemesterHours
30 s.h. of graduate level coursework must be completed; graduate transfer credits allowed upon approval. More information is included in the General Catalog and on department website. a
 Hours0
First Year
Fall
HHP:6000 Research 3
HHP:6020 Advanced Research Methods and Ethics 3
Elective course b 3
 Hours9
Spring
Introductory Statistics course c 1 - 3
Seminar course d 1
Elective course b 3
Elective course b 2
 Hours7-9
Second Year
Fall
HHP:6000 Research 3
Seminar course d 1
Elective course b 3
 Hours7
Spring
Advanced Statistics course e 3
HHP:7500 Thesis: M.S. 4
Final Exam: Thesis Defense
 Hours7
 Total Hours30-32
a
Students must complete specific requirements in the University of Iowa Graduate College after program admission. Refer to the Graduate College website and the Manual of Rules and Regulations for more information.
b
Work with faculty advisor to determine appropriate graduate coursework and sequence.
c
Choose one course from BIOS:4120, PCOL:5204, PSQF:6242, STAT:3510/IGPI:3510, STAT:4143/PSQF:4143.
d
Choose from HHP:6300, HHP:6400, HHP:6500; enroll two times for 1 s.h. each.
e
Choose one course from BIOS:5120/IGPI:5120/STAT:5610, STAT:6513/PSQF:6243.